orphan

much to my own surprise, i'm a little late to this party. earlier today a co-worker told me about the controversy surrounding the film "orphan". the film opened nationally in the u.s. last friday. it a slasher-type movie about a couple that adopts a nine year old girl who turns out to be evil. the adoption community is up in arms, concerned that the film will foster negative views about adopted children. some have started a web site: orphans deserve better.

personally, i don't think this film is worth the hubbub. absent the controversy, "orphan" would probably be quickly forgotten. actually, even with the controversy, it seems to be already fading. in its opening weekend, "orphan" came in fourth, earning less than half as much as a film about secret agent guinea pigs. but the best part of all this is the movie studio's reaction to the controversy:

Warner Bros. said it has taken the concerns seriously. Spokesman Scott Rowe told The Associated Press the company is considering adding a pro-adoption message at the end of the film when it comes out in DVD form.

i can only imagine how that will go. after watching parents being terrorized by the girl they adopted for two hours, the credits roll and a kindly-looking fellow comes on screen encouraging people to consider adoption.